I had to read this for a class (one I wasn't too stoked about, if I'm being honest) and went into it with a pretty closed mind. the bell witch, the roanaoke colony, etc.) Steve Harmon, a Black sixteen-year-old, sits in his jail cell and writes in his notebook. Monsters and American History W. Scott Poole offers many unique explanations for the creation and story telling of monsters in his essayMonsters in America.Poole examines the cultural history of the monster and how it intersects with American history. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. The brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades rules the underworld, the realm of the dead, with his wife, Persephone. Which one would you like to know more about and why? Dorothy Moore, a cousin of Kings, testifies that King was with her at the time of the robbery. Dorothy Sayers Where to Start with her Mystery Novels? Poole seeks to undermine myths of American exceptionalism by locating monsters that he believes exist outside our psyche, in history. Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as W. Scott Poole. More than mere metaphors, they are creations of human fears and human ignorance. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous other not only reflects societys fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts.. Its cohesive, cursory, and has a smattering of typos. Honoring authors by not reading other reviews ahead of time, I anticipated simple engagement with monstrous intrigue of the horrendous and hideous. Poole explains his parameters of a monsters nature from the outside, in: monsters are a product of our collective hatreds outside the human psyche. By so delimiting his interpretation, Poole mirrors his stated concern for other theories that monster interpretations are reductive and overdeterminative (13-18). Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous"other"not only reflects society's fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts.Monsters in America is now online at www.monstersinamerica.com. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Students will maintain a list of unfamiliar words they come across in the chapter. This is an important book that Id recommend very highly. Monsters highlight both the positives and negatives in any society, and as such, require the reader to open ones mind and accept that the history taught in history books may not be the truth. Buy now: [ Amazon ] [ Kindle ]. Eastern Orthodoxy Essential Books [A Reading List]. Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources. Marilynne Robinson 10 Freely Available Essays! Monster is usually used to reflect an individual's actions; especially, it shows for the wrong act of people. Lewis Biography (And Other Biographies /Companion Guides)! [Pooles] book is sufficiently clear and engaging for general readers to enjoy and would make a worthwhile addition to undergraduate course in American history or culture. Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2012. They Poole offers an insight on America's fascination with monsters. Scholars will argue over interpretation because that is what scholars do. Mr. Pooles evidence is as intriguing as it is informative. Petrocelli refers to the defendants as monsters in the community. She then calls two witnesses. He reveals how monster stories went west to Sand Creek and Wounded Knee, bringing the preoccupation with monsters into the twentieth century through the American Indian Movement. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. The book's unusual range is one of its contributions; its freshness of juxtaposition is another. From early American ghost stories to Jordan Peeles Get Out (2017), Scott Poole expertly tracks the importance of monsters and monstrosity in American culture. From 19th century sea serpents to our current Publishers Weekly session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. Imprint: Baylor University Press. Author W. Scott Poole takes a look at America's fascination with the macabre in his book. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. When, meeting the natives, he saw their way of life as barbaric and uncivilized. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. After readingMonsters in America, a reader will view monsters in a completely different light. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. for a group? Poole presents his findings methodically through well-documented facts and similar studies. It was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist. Paperback; 9781481308823; Published: July 2018; $34.99. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. For Professors: Exam Copies. OBrien tells Steve he will have to testify on his own behalf and put some distance between himself and King. Whether your interest is literature, American history, popular culture, race and ethnicity, women's studies, or religion, you would be happy reading this book. I appreciated that in this second edition he shows how our language of the monstrous has played a role in instances like the police shootings of unarmed black people and how visions of dread play into Donald Trump's rhetoric. Novelist Sheri Holman calls the book "a subversive masterpiece.". But then, I dislike any historical book that loses its sense of historical relativity as well as any book about phenomena that automatically assumes a phenomenon is false and therefore ripe for being disproved and easily rationalized away. This exciting work blends the study of horror films, comic books, religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. In fact, perhaps our own beliefs about monsters and their intractable nature help to produce the monsters we fear the most., I've had a question for a long time. If you, like me, are both a person that loves old monster movies and cares about history, you'll find this book to be a fun read. His footnotes have left me with a massive pile Poole walks readers through the American history of monsters, matching horror trends to American epochs, where it turns out our sociopolitical climate influences the monsters we laud and follow in fiction, film, and the media. Please wait while we process your payment. Definitely would recommend it as a quick read and dive into monster history, as well as a great resource to find other books the author recommends to look into more! The strongest witness for the State is Richard Bobo Evans, who admits that he took part in the robbery. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2017. . ", In 2014 he published _Vampira: Dark Goddess of Horror_ that looked at the life of 1950s horror host Maila Nurmi (a.k.a. Thoughts: What makes a monster a monster? Copyright Thats What She Read 2009-2013. Poole's book is fantastic, a terrific look at what makes monsters in film resonate in American culture. As W. Scott Poole's text will serve as the conceptual framework for the course, this assignment seeks to promote regular critical engagement with the text. Monsters in America does a phenomenal job examining American history through the lens of monsters and the monstrous. Monsters in America is lively and entertaining throughout. I was thrilled to find a book that went with that mindset. IE- minorities = what we are anxious about / obsessed with = the monstrous = monsters. We can anticipate either alien salvation or judgment from beyond. Salem witches, frontier wilderness beasts, freak show oddities, alien invasions, Freddie Krueger. Monsters in America is W. Scott Poole's interpretive history. Flashbacks in Steves screenplay show Steve playing on the streets, listening to Mr. Sawicki, his film club mentor, and hanging out with James King and Osvaldo Cruz. All content is original and cannot be copied without permission. Numerous scholars explore the cultural and political implications of monster and horror films for the times from which they emerge. Few scholars connect such implications across broader expanses of time to reveal how intrinsically monsters and the horrific have been bound up in the history of America. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Specifically, he discusses how the stories like "Pocahontas" and "The. No historically reflective Christian would disagree with Pooles castigation of wrongdoings by some Americans. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. The jury returns verdicts of guilty for James King and not guilty for Steve Harmon. I used this as a textbook for a themed English course: Monsters, Myths, and Magic. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Insightful and brilliant! Petrocelli presents the charges against the defendants. I took copious notes in the margins, and will be using this book frequently as I continue to work on my own YA horror fiction (e.g. Please use a different way to share. Steve calls the movie Monster because that is what the prosecutor has called him. I also think this could've used a second editor before being published as there are many typos and grammatical errors, as well as a few points that could've used some fact-checking. After Steve hears the verdict, he turns to OBrien for a hug. The pages are littered with characterizations which demonize only a conservative set of ideas. March 4, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 However, this book was not only as easy read, but incredibly enlightening, eye-opening, and thrilling. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. The kind of monsters depends on the era. Finally, in the new section "American Carnage," Poole challenges readers to assess what their own monster tales might be and how our sordid past horrors express themselves in our present cultural anxieties. He wrote in his journal The medical examiner states the time of Mr. Nesbitts death. 2023 Baylor University Press. Alien invasions prompt the authors apt comment, The otherness of the monster can embody the sum of all fears but also an escape from fear (131). Monsters in America instead should acknowledge monsters exist in every culture, every tribe, every era. Copyright 2023 That's What She Read. Excellent study of the machinery of monsters and their meaning in American history. I hated this book. wish it felt more american- some of the trends were too broad, and I wish thered been more emphasis on early America (e.g. religious texts and newspaper accounts of "satanic panics" into a highly readable analysis of the concept of the devil in American cultural history. A well informed, thoughtful, and indeed frightening angle of vision to a persistent and compelling American desire to be entertained by the grotesque and the horrific. for a group? In his comments on the 1931 "Frankenstein" W. Scott Poole, relates that the idea of the "abnormal brain" that Fritz grabs for Henry Frankenstein being the cause of the monster's murderous mentality being a reflection of the "scientific rascism" of the day. (Greg Garrett, Faithful Citizenship blogger and author of, One Fine Potion: The Literary Magic of Harry Potter, (John David Smith, Charles H. Stone Distinguished Professor of American History, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte), W. Scott Poole is Professor of History at the College of Charleston. Unless specifically stated in the review, I have purchased all books reviewed. Monsters in America is an important contribution, and it will be enjoyed by literary and cultural historians alike. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. It's rarely happy news being reported. 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(Gary Laderman, Professor of American Religious History and Cultures, Emory University), (J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion). Martin Luther King, Jr. His Prophetic Faith in 15 Quotes, Important Discipleship and Formation Books A Reading Guide Fall 2020, Frederick Buechner Books An Introductory Reading Guide. (one code per order). He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Christopher Columbus came to the Americas searching for gold, slaves, and monsters. I found the book interesting and informative, it's brief but gives you just enough to perhaps to look further on your own. damn good primer on monsters in America. It is lively and engaging and well researched. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. At times in the book a movie director is taken at his word, the reason for his film given authorial intent. Monsters refuse to be cordoned off in only one nationality, ethnicity, religion, or political mindset. Fall 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! Our main man wonders how anyone can get used to the slammer. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Poole argues that "Monstrous metaphors in American historical life have a way of becoming realthey are intertwined with attitudes and social structures that make the monster possible. What is it that rumbles in the American unconscious that relates to the figures we see on the screen. Instead of representing the "us vs them" mentality, monsters are much closer so home: they are us. Thoughts on books, family, and life in one impressive package. does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. For the record, I'm *not* well versed on the horror genre due to my fear of almost every popular culture monster. Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting, Review, Title Page, Copyright, Dedication, Epigraph, Preface: With a Warning to the Unsuspecting Reader, Introduction: The Bloody Chords of Memory. Sometimes it can end up there. The different types of monsters, whether cultural, supernatural, or moral, all contribute to the meaning of American culture. In 2009, Poole published _Satan in America: The Devil We Know__ (Rowman and Littlefield), a cultural history of the image of Satan in American religion, history and popular culture. By adding new discussions of the American West, Poole focuses intently on the Native American experience. Dont have an account? Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. See a complete Character List for Monster, as well as in-depth analysis of its most important characters. Study Guides, Friday afternoon, July 17th & December, 5 months later. I heard the author on Coast to Coast, and even though he had that dry, flat Midwestern accent (sort of like Margaret Hamilton in "The Wizard of Oz") I knew I had to get the book. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Not only do they continue to live in our midst, but, as historian Scott Poole shows, these monsters are an important part of our pasta hideous obsession America cannot seem to escape.Pooles central argument in Monsters in America is that monster tales intertwine with Americas troubled history of racism, politics, class struggle, and gender inequality. 1 (1998): 90-102. (And as someone who lives with a history PhD and who briefly pursued graduate studies in history myself, I like to believe that I know from whence I speak.) The little monsters who come to our doors for candy at Halloween are small reminders of our large problem. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. From 19th century sea serpents to our current. White Doe" disguised the true relationship between the European settlers and Native Americans. Spring 2022 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! Highly recommended." Jenn's Bookshelves "In Monsters in America, Scott Poole expertly weaves together folklore, media studies, and some of the more disturbing moments in American history to remind us of the vital roles monsters play in our culture. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears. From 19th century sea serpents to our current Publishers Weekly session with vampires and zombies, Poole plots America's past through its fears in this intriguing sociocultural history. Best Bob Dylan Books Biographies, Lyrics, and More! From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers, new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. You'll also receive an email with the link. That's What She Read by I wasn't ready for the overtly sociological approach of the book, and was expecting a history, as alluded to in the title of the book. I love ghost stories and folklore because they reveal an aspect of history and popular thinking in an entertaining way. If you've got an interest in horror, this is definitely worth a read. Salvatore Zinzi, a prisoner at the Rikers Island jail, testifies that another prisoner, Wendell Bolden, told him about the drugstore robbery. Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. Here's where you'll find important quotesfrom Monsterand explanations of them. He is the author of several books, including a biography of H.P Lovecraft, which became a Bram Stoker award finalist, and. A masterful survey of our grim and often disturbing past, Monsters in America uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. The two defense counsels, OBrien and Briggs, establish that the witnesses are testifying for the State in return for reduced sentences. You can find more scary stories from him on Twitter: @monstersamerica. Monsters are here to stay. Hafez Poems Five of Our Favorites from the Divan of Hafez, N.T. The Best C.S. Poole invites us into an important and enlightening, if disturbing, conversation about the very real monsters that inhabit the dark spaces of America's past. Contact us From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. From our colonial past to the present, the monster in all its various forms has been a staple of American culture. OBrien reminds jurors of reasonable doubt and states firmly that Steves guilt has not been proven. Free trial is available to new customers only. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own. Michelangelo Biographies Best Books on the Renaissance Artist! The book made a few strong points, but ultimately it was a mediocre read. OBrien tells Steve that her job is to make him a human being in the eyes of the jury. Sophfronia Scott - The Seeker and the Monk [Review], James Atwood - Collateral Damage - Brief Review, Emily M.D. Spring 2021 Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers! Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014. Steve spends his time making movies about himself, often with Jerrys help. Poole's connection of the monster to American history is a kind of Creature Features meets American cultural history. Briggs establishes that the police had shown photos of King to Mrs. Henry before she picked him out of a lineup. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. "New light" evangelists of the eighteenth century, enslaved African Americans, demagogic politicians, and modern American film-makers have used the devil to damn their enemies, explain the nature of evil and injustice, mount social crusades, construct a national identity, and express anxiety about matters as . Design by Booyah Creative. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 2013. Poole walks readers through the American history of monsters, matching horror trends to American epochs, where it turns out our sociopolitical climate influences the monsters we laud and follow in fiction, film, and the media. Want 100 or more? It is super nasty, and blood ends up everywhere. uniquely brings together history and culture studies to expose the dark obsessions that have helped create our national identity. Monsters, he says, are "cultural constructions of the terrible that define what it is we subconsciously fear and what it is we're told to hate or love.". Not only is it written in a fun, easy to relate to voice, but it is also chock full of info. He tells his story through handwritten notes and a typewritten screenplay. John Wesley Sermons - The 7 Best Sermons from the Founder of Methodism. Monsters in America Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. is lively and entertaining throughout. It's no secret that America is a little messed up. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. I found it to be a perfect model for critical thinking about the social representations of various popular monsters, and the book led to wonderful class discussions. It was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist. Five months later, Steve is again writing in his notebook. "Monsters in America" is a work that touches on the many facets of Horror in America. Thanks to Poole's insights we see the ubiquity of the monster lurking in and around us. Jos Delgado, an employee of the drugstore, tells how he found Mr. Nesbitts body and noticed that cash and cigarettes were missing. Usually just called Athena, this goddess emerges from Zeus's head fully-grown and armed. . "Rue Morgue" magazine called it "the best biography of H.P. The scary tales found in the classic texts remind usno matter our nationality, ethnicity, or political persuasionthe monster is us. Best Leonard Cohen Books Biographies and Books by the Songwriter. However, this book was FABULOUS! Yuckfest. In her closing argument for the State, Petrocelli stresses the importance of the stolen cigarettes in proving who committed the crime. For my own part, I have been studying and writing about Gothic horror for some years. 2023 Project MUSE. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Select a location to see product availability. Wed love to have you back! Monsters in America is lively and entertaining throughout. Before you get all "He's Anti-American!" Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2012. Monsters in America does a bang-up job of demonstrating how our culture helps us achieve some sort of understanding about our world and our lives. Poole has set the bar ridiculously high for any future research exploring the locus of historical and cultural studies, particularly as it pertains to the horrific. Monsters In America challenges, enlightens, and, quite honestly, frightens in its prescient view of American history, as well as the seeming ubiquity of the monsters of our past and probable future. InMonsters in America,Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time. Reading this for research for a paper I am writing for a creative nonfiction class for college, but what an interesting book regardless! Purchasing Other times Poole relies too heavily on social interpreters for his connections. Dracula (1931) is based on the fear of foreigners and disease. The jail guards come in, and everyone lines up against the wall while they get rubber-gloved. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Through the two and a half weeks I took with this book, I have been citing it in conversation. The Monster feels completely alienated: "none among the myriads of men" will take pity on him. Jacques Ellul Books An Introductory Reading Guide. Classic Gratitude Poems Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, MORE. He argues that our myth of conquering the monster has made us particularly inclined to turn other groups of human beings into monsters and to justify their oppression or domination.